Dodgers Notes: Fielder, Barrack, Franchise Sale

With no clear frontrunner in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider link) says the Dodgers should step in and make a play for the slugger. Olney concedes current owner Frank McCourt "probably flinches reflexively at the idea of spending money these days," but argues that spending on Fielder would be a smart investment since it would increase the bids for the team over the next few months. Here's the latest on the sale of one of baseball's most storied franchises:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross approved the Dodgers' settlements with MLB and Fox today, writes Shaikin in a separate piece. "We have a relatively short time left for the sale process," Gross said. "The settlement will allow the process to proceed without distraction."